July 1961
Bands on Parade
Bands from all over Scotland are coming to Dundee tomorrow to take part in the Civic Week pipe band contest at Riverside Park.These include the world champions, Murihead and Sons, Ltd., who won the championship at Murrayfield a fortnight ago, and the Shotts and Dykehead Band, runners-up this year and champions for the four years previous.
There will be 4 bands in the first grade, 10 in the second and two in the third.
The Earl of Airlie will be Chieftain, and will be accompanied by the Countess, who will present prizes. Judges will be Mr Neil McCallum and Mr R. McLaren, Lochgelly.
There will also be a display of Scottish country dancing by members of the Scottish Country Dance Society, a Highland dance competition and a drum-majors display.
B.B.C Chooses Dundee for Local Broadcast Experiment
Thursday, August 24, has been fixed by the B.B.C. for an important experiment in Dundee. They wish to find out what the city may be like for local broadcasting.
In the B.B.C. studio, at Coldside will be recorded a day’s local output of programmes. But it will all be on closed circuit – available not for the general listening in the city but for the information only of the B.B.C.
This was disclosed last night by Mr Andrew Stewart, controller of the B.B.C. in Scotland, at a dinner giver by the Scottish Broadcasting Council in the Royal Hotel, Dundee. The B.B.C. team will be directed by Mr Harry Hoggan, of their Aberdeen staff.
The idea is to record under working conditions with an eye to the future as far as local broadcasting is concerned. Mr Stewart said the amount of local material recorded might run to 3 or 4 hours. Dundee is the first Scottish city to be chosen for the experiment.
Asked by “The Courier” why Dundee had been chosen, Mr Stewart said it was felt that if local broadcasting was to succeed it would be in Dundee.
Dundee was a community with a clearly defined character, and it was a city within a sharply defined geographical area.
“If the B.B.C. gets agreement to run local broadcasting, Dundee will be the first station in Scotland,” Mr Stewart added.
“Low Look” Hospital Best for Ninewells
The horizontal development of the new £8 million teaching hospital and medical school at Ninewells, Dundee, has been questioned by members of the Eastern Regional Hospital Board’s Policy and Planning Committee.
The questions were asked at a special committee meeting to consider a report by Professor R. Matthew, consulting architect for the project, on the preliminary sketch plans.
It was explained investigations had been carried out in this country and the United States into the economics of horizontal and vertical types of hospital buildings. They showed a balance in favour of horizontal development where sit conditions permitted and this applied to the Ninewells site.
The committee were told the Scottish Hospitals Work Study Unit had found there was a need for modifications in the detailed design, and space economy in some departments. But none of the alterations affected the general design.
It was noted no facilities were provided for married staff and the committee were told the Department of Health are to be asked to provide married quarters for a number of junior medical staff.
Dr R. Glyn Thomas, senior administrative medical officer, reported problems arising from the location and design of the Radio-diagnostic Department in the light of suggestions that all rooms should have natural light and ventilation.
The provision of these facilities would require a transposition of the department and a major redesign of the project.
The committee decided no change should be made, but Professor Matthew is to be asked to consider providing natural light and natural ventilation to all staff accommodation and to reporting and viewing rooms.
The committee recommended that final approval of the proposals for the ancillary engineering facilities, the public chapel, the helicopter landing ground and for landscaping be deferred.
Subject to the Department of Health’s approval of the scheme, the committee suggested an approach should be made to Dundee Corporation regarding the early construction of the road from Perth Road to the Hillside roundabout.
Yesterday the Regional Board approved the committee’s minute.
Robin and Jimmy a Big Hit at Y.M.
The hundred of so enthusiasts who turned out to see Robin Hall and Jimmy MacGregor at the Y.M.C.A., Dundee, last night were not disappointed. They were entertained to a full and varied programme, including songs from America, England, Ireland and Scotland.
Dundee was not forgotten – the boys sang an old number about the Overgate.
Robin and Jimmy were well supported by Andy Lothian and his East Coast Jazz Men, who played a varied selection of traditional jazz.
In Search of Jute Ideas
A jute factory is among Ghana’s industrial development plans. This added interest to the visit to Taybank Jute Works, Dundee yesterday of the three senior Ghanaian officials – Messrs K.A. Owusu, B.K. Osafo and S.Odamelabi.
They are on a months visit to Britain as guests of the Commonwealth Relations Office, and are on the lookout for ideas to improve industry in their own country.
Treble Chance TV for Dundee
Dundee will get good reception of the programmes from Durris when Grampian TV opens on September 30.
This assurance was given at Dundee Rotary Club today by ex-Provost David Urquhart, Forfar, chairman of Grampian.
Durris is only 44 miles from Dundee. Aerials will be necessary because of high ground in between. In places like Kirriemuir an indoor loft aerial will be sufficient.
Dundee and Forfar will then have a chance of three programmes. The Durris signal will reach as far south as Edinburgh.
Hot Music and Sunglasses
Dundee jazz fans flocked in their hundred to the new Tomb Jazz Club in Nicoll Street last night.
Wearing skin-tight jeans, long sweaters, sandals, and even sunglasses, they rocked to the music of three jazz bands.
Celebrities at the first night were Forrie Cairns and his Clansmen. Forrie formed his band in June after leaving the Clyde Valley Stompers, but already they have made a name for themselves throughout Scotland.
Singing with the group was another Clyde Valley ex-member, Fionna Duncan, who entertained the fans with her own version of “Abe My Boy”.
The band appeared on stage dressed in Anderson tartan jackets, these were soon discarded, however as the boys got down to playing some “hot jazz”.
Also taking part were Andy Lothian, Jun and his East Coast Jazzmen and Jake Spalding with the 1919 Jazz Band.
The two local bands had the fans clapping and stamping their feet and yelling for more.